Megabit 8 — March 17

Saint Arianus, Who Changed His Heart

Once there was a governor named Arianus (say it: ah-ree-AH-nus). A governor is an important leader who rules a city. Sadly, Arianus had been very unkind to people who loved Jesus.

But one day Arianus did something brave. He touched a little of the blood of two holy friends of God, and right away his sore eye was healed and he could see clearly. That made him very sorry for the unkind things he had done. So he broke his idols, the pretend gods made of stone and wood that he used to bow to, and he began to love the real God, Jesus Christ.

After that, Arianus stopped being mean to Jesus' friends and started being kind. God took care of him, and once even sent a shining angel to help him. Arianus was no longer afraid of anything, because he knew he belonged to God.

At the end of his life, Arianus stayed faithful to Jesus, all the way to his death. We call him a martyr, because he kept loving God even when it cost him his life. God had promised to bring his body safely home, and God kept that promise. He sent a big whale to carry it gently to the shore, just like in the story of Jonah. His friends found him and laid him to rest beside the other holy ones. Arianus had finished his good race and gone home to heaven.

The Lord has told me He will keep my body safe and bring it home.— Saint Arianus

Saint Matthias the Apostle and the Big Rescue

Matthias (say it: ma-THY-as) was one of Jesus' twelve apostles, the closest helpers Jesus sent out to tell the whole world about Him. Matthias was chosen to join the twelve, and he traveled to many cities teaching people about God.

One day Matthias went to a faraway city where the people were not kind to visitors. They put him in a prison and would not let him out. But God did not forget him. He sent another apostle, Andrew, along with a helper, all the way to that prison to save Matthias.

Then the apostles prayed, and God made fresh water bubble up and flow through the whole city, rising higher and higher. The people were frightened, and at last they understood that God is real and good. They ran to the apostles, said they were sorry, and asked for help.

The apostles spoke kindly to them and prayed again, and God made the water stop. The people believed in Jesus and were baptized. Their hard hearts grew soft and gentle, like new friends. The apostles stayed a whole month to teach them, and the people loved them so much they begged them to come back soon.

Later Matthias kept teaching about Jesus, and God kept him safe. At the end of his life he died peacefully, and many sick people were made well in the place where he was laid to rest. God worked through Matthias his whole life long.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.— the holy apostles

Abba Julianus, the Wise Teacher

Abba Julianus (say it: joo-lee-AH-nus) was a holy church father, the fourteenth archbishop of the great city of Alexandria. An archbishop is a leader who watches over many churches at once.

Abba Julianus was so wise that no one in all of Egypt could teach better than he could. He wrote many good books and gave many talks, showing people how to love God and follow Him the right way.

He led God's people gently and safely for fourteen years, and everyone lived in peace while he was their teacher. When his work was done, he died quietly and happily, and went home to be with God.

Friends We Also Remember Today

We also keep in our hearts four faithful friends from a place called Galatia, who loved God together with Arianus and went home to heaven with him.

And we remember the Seven Sleepers. Long ago, seven brave friends did not want to bow down to idols, so they hid together in a quiet cave. There a gentle sleep came over them, and God watched over them the whole time. It is a happy reminder that God always keeps His friends safe in His care.